Meet These Mexican Traditions Celebrated in the United States
Every culture in this world is different, with own beliefs, traditions, customs, manners, and festivities. Mexican traditions are one of the richest, colorful, famous and festive.
As we can know, the mix of culture and influences from one country to another, broke barriers and get lost the borders, becoming us in citizens of the world.
You can also add to this, immigration and growing globalization.
For example, between Mexico and the United States, has done a remarkable influence, for being neighbors and because of the large number of Mexicans living in the country.
We are going to show these Mexican traditions you can celebrate in the USA.
Cinco de Mayo
According to Verbling, this day Mexicans commemorate the Battle of Puebla, 1862, when the Mexican army managed to defeat the French army.
The cause of the conflict was that Mexico had accumulated a large debt with France, the United Kingdom, and Spain, but only these two accepted a deadline for the payment of debt.
Emperor Napoleon III decided to invade Mexico with the intention of helping the Confederate forces of the southern United States in the Civil War.
During the battle, Ignacio Zaragoza and a small troop defeated the numerous French militia.
In 1999, the Texas Senate declared Goliad, the birthplace of Zaragoza, as the official site to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Currently, the Hispanic-American community in the United States celebrates this day more than in Mexico.
Even the White House celebrates with mariachis, Mexican food, guacamole, and margaritas. So, let’s celebrate!
Día de Muertos
Remember the movie Coco?
The traditional holiday comes from pre-Hispanic Mexico and its cult of death, a special element for the indigenous people.
The ritual was based on the organization of parties to guide the dead in their journey.
They were wrapped with mats and placed food in case they were hungry during the travel.
In the beginning, the goddess Mictecacíhuatl, known as the “Lady of Death”, presided over these ceremonies.
She was the wife of Mictlantecuhtli, “Lord of the land of Death”.
When Spanish arrived, they brought their own traditions with them to the dead.
So the Day of the Dead is now a syncretism of pre-Hispanic and European cultures, from which the rites and ceremonies that take place around this festival were enriched.
Today, to honor the souls that have left, November 1st is dedicated to children and 2nd for adults.
Besides these traditions, there’s a lot of daily routines that Mexicans are still doing, even if they live in the United States or any other country.
One of them is the food, known for being spicy and unique.
And you, do you know any other you can tell us about?
